The government of Uganda has officially opened Karuma Bridge to traffic to allow travellers plying the Kampala–Gulu highway a smooth Christmas journey.
For three months, the bridge was closed for repairs, causing inconvenience to travellers and disrupting the flow of goods. It was closed in September after engineers identified significant faults in its deck, expansion joints, and bearings.
It took the tireless efforts of the Consortium of China Railway 7th Group and the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) for the bridge to be reopened.
According to NEC, the commercial arm of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, the Kampala-Gulu Highway is a vital artery that connects the country, serving as the gateway to the Northern, Northwest, and Northeast regions of Uganda.
It is a lifeline for trade, commerce, and tourism, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services across the country.
As the clock struck 6 am on Friday, a convoy of light vehicles and buses made their way across the newly repaired bridge, marking the beginning of a new era of safe and efficient travel.
The ceremony was officiated by the state minister for Works and Transport, Musa Ecweru, in the presence of residents of Karuma and traditional Acholi dancers.
Ecweru highlighted the urgency of rehabilitating the bridge to restore the smooth transportation of goods and passengers and commended the government’s swift intervention to address residents’ hardships like increased transport costs and declining local businesses.
Engineer Lawrence Pario, Unra’s head of bridges and structures, reported that 95 per cent of the major rehabilitation works had been completed, including replacement of 12 bridge bearings, laying of asphalt, installation of guardrails, lights, and parapet walls.
Additional Reporting by URN